Bhramari भ्रमरि

Bee's breath

Balances Vāta, Pitta + Kapha

This breath is one of my favorites and is also one that many of my clients receive from me. I highly recommend doing this practice first thing in the morning to center the mind for the day. Additionally, it can be done before bed or before meditation.

Definition: In our day to day lives we are constantly bathing in external sounds, music, conversations, TVs, radios, traffic, etc. It is non-stop. It is no wonder that we are often out of touch with what we should do for we have not stopped to sit in our own sound. With this prāṇāyāma we allow ourselves to be fully enveloped by our own divine sound. This is healing to the voice and balances this thyroid gland. As we hum we place our hands in śaṅmukhi mudra which further aids to close off the other senses. In today's day and age this prāṇāyāma is ever important.

My teacher, Dr. Lad, often said that, “the galaxies are humming as heard by NASA scientists. So bhramari has a deep connection with the sound of the galaxy and sound at the time of the Big Bang. This whole universe was created from sound, vibration.”

Benefits:

Improves function of thyroid, parathyroid and thymus glands
Aids with release of repressed emotions
Reduces blood pressure
Soothes the nerves and induces good sleep
Tridoṣaśamana – balances VPK
Harmonizes functioning of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
“Mind is dissolved into pure consciousness and consciousness is dissolved into pure awareness” - Dr. Lad
Balances hormones
Benefits skeletal system via vibration
⇑ serotonin, ⇑ melatonin, ⇑ dopamin

Instructions:

Sit comfortably with mouth closed without the teeth touching
Lift up both arms so that the elbows are shoulder-height. Elbows are bent so that the hands are in front of the face.
Place the hands in Śaṅmukhi Mudra – first fingers over Ajña Cakra (third eye), second fingers go to inside of eyes, ring and pinky fingers meet at the outside of the nasolabial fold. Thumbs will cover the tragus, the little flap over the ears.
Close the eyes, plug the ears as you inhale a steady hum as long as is comfortable for you. This is one round.
Finish your set. Release the hands but keep the eyes closed. Sit and breathe calmly as you feel the intense joy and peace swell from inside of you.

Progression: Begin with 7 repetitions daily. One can be added per week, however, the maximum number is 17

Contraindication: None